Interpretive Summary: Plant root systems are difficult to measure and high variation among field samples often leads to no significant differnce when standard statistics are employed. We applied the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) method to vertical and horizontal root distribution data collected from a potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cropping system. Simulations indicated that ANFIS gave plausible results. This indicates that ANFIS may offer a viable alternative to more traditional statistical techniques for evaluation of complex root distribution patterns.

Technical Abstract:
Root-soil relationships are pivotal to understanding crop growth and function in a changing environmental. Plant root systems are difficult to measure and remain understudied relative to above ground responses. High variation among field samples often leads to non-significance when standard statistics are employed. The Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) has been applied in many agricultural and environmental fields and may represent a viable means for dealing with complexities of root distribution in soil. We applied this method to vertical and horizontal root distribution data collected from a potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cropping system. Simulations indicated that ANFIS gave plausible results. This indicates that ANFIS may offer a viable alternative to more traditional statistical techniques for evaluation of complex root distribution patterns.